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Nonprofit Overview

Mission: Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue is dedicated to providing a rehabilitative sanctuary for abandoned, abused, unwanted, or slaughter-bound horses. We strive to bring people who love horses together with the horses we love.

Results: During 2015 we took in 9 horses from race tracks and adopted out 6 horses to loving families.

Target demographics: the unwanted horse population

Direct beneficiaries per year: 85 students and 47 community service people

Geographic areas served: Tampa, Florida

Programs: Rescuing, rehabilitating, rehoming horses. We also reach out to the community by offering Bright Future hours to high school students and we work with the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Department's community service program.

Community Stories

12 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

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I have been volunteering at Equestrian Inc for a little over two years. In those two years I have had the opportunity to learn so much about these wonderful animals and be a part of some incredible stories surrounding them. Equestrian Inc has always been a wonderful place and I hope it continues to be for a long time.

Equestrian Inc. is not only a rescue for horses, it is one that rescues people and gives them a place to go to be able to love and care for horses who need it. I have been lucky to be able to get to know the horses and their vast personalities as well as get to know many of the dedicated people to the organization. The horses at this organization are thriving and if you see them it is clear that they are all happy.

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I moved to the Tampa area for school. In choosing to move I chose to go alone. I knew with this move one of the most important things for me was to find a place to give back. My love of animals and horses found me at the front gate of Equestrian Inc.. From the moment I was introduced to every horse and told each one's story I wanted to be a part of this amazing organization. Being a volunteer at a rescue such as this is hard work but extremely rewarding. I am able to put work in knowing that every stall cleaned and water bucket filled is for a good purpose. It is allowing a horse in need a clean place to live and play. The hands on care that this organization allows and encourages with the horses is remarkable. Being able to touch and give love to these amazing animals is what its all about. I am grateful to all the wonderful people at Equestrian Inc. who allow me to come and help.

My mother started rescuing horses way before we became a nonprofit organization. It is because of her creation that these horses have a safe haven where they can graze, swim and eat until their heart is content. Our horses get the best care and are a joy to be around. Everyone who passes through our gate feels a sense of serenity and peacefulness as they interact with the horses. Again, it is all because of my mother that we are here what we are today.

The horses of Equestrian Inc. are always the number one priority of the rescue. They receive excellent diets along with any necessary supplements. They have regular visits from the farrier and dentist and have access to an excellent vet. Each horse is made to feel very special by the loving care that they are given every day. They have several acres of pasture in which to graze and just be horses. All in all they are very happy horses with very dedicated volunteers.

I have been volunteering for Equestrian Inc for a little over a year and it is an amazing rescue, truly dedicated to the health and welfare of the horses they take in. The owner of the rescue dedicates her life to these horses and it is evident when you see the transformation of injured and abused horses into loving, healthy and happy animals. After i spent a day volunteering I quickly made the decision to give as much time and resources as I could to this cause. if you have a passion for horses I would highly recommend going out to the barn and learning more about Equestrian Inc.

Year after year Equestrian Inc. continues to be a wonderful haven for horses. You would be hard pressed to find a place anywhere where the horses are better cared for, more loved, safe, and above all HAPPY! Support Equestrian Inc.! You will be happy with the fact that you did!

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I have been with Glenda, and Equestrian Inc. for many years. I've also been to many other facilities, everything from boarding barns, to lesson barns, to show facilities, etc., and I can say that one would be very hard-pressed to find a facility with happier, healthier horses. Year after year we continue to build the facility, build relationships with vendors, and volunteers, we have had many extremely successful, happy adoptions, and I'm completely confident that the best is yet to come, all thanks to the tenacity, and tireless efforts of our president, Glenda, myself, and the rest of the board members. We are always working on projects to make our organization the best that we possibly can. I'm proud to be a part of Equestrian Inc.!

I have been with Equestrian Inc. for many years, and it is a an absolutely WONDERFUL organization with all happy, healthy horses who are meticulously cared for. I personally spend countless hours doing work for the organization both at the facility and remotely, and I do everything that I do because I know the difference right and wrong, being truly charitable, altruistic person, and being in it because one thinks they can just come in from no where and do it better, and to try to present a fake front to all of their friends of being a truly charitable person when in fact they are truly not. We do absolutely E-V-E-R-Y-T-H-I-N-G that we do for the benefit of the horses. Period. Glenda Smith is like a mother to me, and she is one of the few people that I can honestly say I would go to the ends of the Earth for and wouldn't think twice. Anyone who thinks anything else A) is an awful horse person who has no clue how to truly care for them, B) is GROSSLY misinformed, and C) quite frankly not intelligent... at all. How can I say this? Simple. The proof is on the wall. Equestrian Inc. has been around in the same location under Glenda Smith for almost 30 years. No one else in the bay area stack up to that. Also we continue to be awarded grant after grant. That isn't because Glenda doesn't know what she's doing, and it isn't because we as a core organization don't know what we're doing. I stand by this organization no matter what, and so do a WHOLE lot of other people. We all wear our hearts on our sleeves, and give our horses the best of absolutely everything we possibly can, and there just isn't anything more to say.

I have volunteered at Equestrian Inc. for over 4 years and they go above and beyond for each and every horse. Every horse is so very important. Equestrian Inc. has been accredited by the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance or TCA. They set very high standards for their accreditation process and to be recognized by TCA is a high honor. There are only 42 rescues that have received this accreditation out of hundreds and hundreds of rescues in the United States. The farm is located on a beautiful property with many trees, 3 barns, over 15 acres for the horses to roam about and a large spring fed pond that the horses love to swim in on hot summer days. This is a place where horses come to be safe and loved. Many of the horses are retired racehorses and they go on to wonderful second careers as trail horses, jumpers or event horses.

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I was looking for something to keep me busy when I found Equestrian Inc. I had spent my childhood with horses but grew away from them as I got older. Equestrian Inc. filled the need to keep busy and brought me back to my love of horses. I cannot say enough good about Equestrian Inc. We have received horses some of which are broken in spirit and in body, but with love, attention, respect and lots of good food these horses blossom into the wonderful animals that they were meant to be. This organization is truly dedicated to helping those horses that are in need. I recommend it highly.

The role of Equestrian Inc. is to provide a sanctuary for abandoned, abused, unwanted and slaughter bound horses. Recently we acquired a mare who had been starved so badly that each and every bone showed. Our volunteers rallied together to do everything in their power to save this beautiful girl. Unfortunately it was too late and she died. Being with such a dedicated caring group of people trying to save her was truly a life altering experience. Our founder, Glenda Smith, is completely devoted to giving our horses the very best of care and her enthusiasm for her life's vocation is contagious. Each and every volunteer cares deeply for our wonderful horses. Equestrian Inc. is excellent.

Volunteering at Equestrian Inc. was the best move I have ever made. When others speak of "life changing" I can attest to that. It is indeed life changing. Our horses come from all situations. We try to help them adapt to a new life by retraining them according to their particular aptitudes. It's such a beautiful experience to see them blossom into a happy well-adjusted horse. Some, because of age or other problems cannot be retrained so they are welcome to consider Equestrian Inc. their forever home. Our horses are loved and respected for the wonderful animals that they are.

Equestrian Inc. has such a great impact on many horses. They strive to help as many horses as possible. I always feel so invited to partake in many events and I am always welcomed by the great group of volunteers.

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Equestrian Inc. has given many equines new careers. From breeding farms to off the racetrack, Equestrian Inc., has rescued and rehabilitated horses in order to find them new owners and forever homes. I have been at Equestrian Inc. for over 8 years, and can't wait for another 8 more! It will change your life when you change others.

Each day I go to Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue to volunteer brings new and wonderful experiences. The horses are so well taken care of and their well-being is a top priority. The horses have large paddocks in which to graze. The property also has an acre pond for swimming and cooling off. These horses live the good life!

Previous Stories

I’ve been volunteering at Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue since October 2009. I have very high standards when it comes to the care of all animals and can say with total certainty that the horses and other animals at Equestrian Inc. receive the very best of care. Glenda, the founder of the organization, has been rescuing horses for over 25 years and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to her horses. She has their best interests at heart with every decision she makes for their welfare. Glenda is well known and respected in the horse rescue field and has made many friends who help her network with other organizations. Having been the board treasurer for the last two years, I can highly recommend Equestrian Inc.’s ability to put all donations towards sustaining the rescue and caring for the horses.

Equestrian Inc. Horse Rescue not only changes the lives of the horses who come to us, but also the people. Equestrian Inc. takes in all horses, of all breeds at any age. They strive to get them rehabilitated and retrained to adopt out to a loving family. However, some horses, because of their past abuse or injuries will never be able to go onto a new family. But the wonderful thing about Equestrian Inc. is that they provide a heaven sanctuary retirement for these horses to live out the rest of their days in serenity. One of the most important roles of being a volunteer is loving on these horses and when you see the love you give to them start to change these horses for the better it is so rewarding and life changing! There is nothing 'fancy' about our property and our amenities, but it is filled with love! If you are interested in volunteering we urge you to come on out to the farm. There is always plenty of work to be done and plenty of new friends (horses and people) to make!